I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Sjogren’s (“show-grins”) Foundation, by participating in the first-ever Midwest Walk for Sjogren’s in Madison on June 1. The Walk focuses on increasing awareness of the disease while helping raise money for crucial Sjogren’s research and education.

This event brings together hundreds of patients, family, friends, colleagues, and health care professionals. Fundraising like this is beyond my comfort zone. However, seeing the degree of dedication and preparation for this walk is shifting my attitude about Sjogren’s from grim survival to hope that disease management might actually get easier in my lifetime.

My Sjogren’s experience began in 1974 with a severe case of Epstein-Barr (“EB”) Virus, which smoldered for years with severe fatigue and morphed into Sjogren’s.  Until David was born in 1977, I was on the fulltime payroll at the Department of Justice, taking sick leave to accommodate my fatigue.   After my maternity leave, I held a parttime position until I retired. 

I kept my own time and offset my hours somewhat for the times I worked 40-60 hrs./week.  Distinctive Sjogren’s symptoms like brain fog attacks began in the early ‘80s, but I didn’t put it all together until 2009. Overexertion on demanding cases usually resulted in big flares of brain fog and fatigue.  I got a Sjogren’s diagnosis in the early ‘90s for my very dry eyes and mouth, and the fact that my mother had the disease.

Through the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s, I dealt with a seemingly unrelated variety of issues like peripheral neuropathy, acid reflux and painfully swollen glands. An unexpected observation by a radiologist in 2009 opened my eyes to the fact that Sjogren’s is way more than dry eyes and mouth. I’ve been learning about and working to manage it ever since. The disease has reframed my life.

Please support me in helping to reach this goal by a making a donation today. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure and is the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts!

You can choose to donate or simply learn more about the disease.

You can also choose to attend the walk yourself and register at sjogrens.org for the Midwest Walk.  I’d love to see you there.   My team is Mary’s Dry Humor. If you’re Facebook-fluent, which I’m not, you could even form your own team to fundraise. 

Thanks so much for your support!   Mary (M/MV)